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Journal of Pediatric Psychology Advance Access published online on April 1, 2008
Journal of Pediatric Psychology, doi:10.1093/jpepsy/jsn033
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© The Author 2008. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Society of Pediatric Psychology. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oxfordjournals.org

Brief Assessment of Parents’ Attitudes Toward Testing Minor Children for Hereditary Breast/Ovarian Cancer Genes: Development and Validation of the Pediatric BRCA1/2 Testing Attitudes Scale (P-TAS)

Beth N. Peshkin1, Tiffani A. DeMarco1, Judy E. Garber2, Heiddis B. Valdimarsdottir3, Andrea F. Patenaude2, Katherine A. Schneider2, Marc D. Schwartz1 and Kenneth P. Tercyak1

1Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, 2Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, and 3Mount Sinai School of Medicine

All correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to Kenneth P. Tercyak, PHD, Cancer Control Program, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University Medical Center, 3300 Whitehaven Street, NW, Suite 4100, Washington, DC 20007. E-mail: tercyakk{at}georgetown.edu


  Abstract

Objective Predictive genetic testing for hereditary breast/ovarian cancer risk (BRCA1/2 testing) is not recommended for minor children due to its lack of immediate medical benefit and potential psychological risk. Yet, tested mothers are often interested in learning about their children's cancer risks via pediatric BRCA1/2 testing, raising a host of bioethical concerns. However, no reliable or valid tool exists to formally gauge parents’ interest in such testing. The aim of this study was to develop and evaluate a new measure for use in genetic research and consultation, known as the Pediatric BRCA1/2 Testing Attitudes Scale (P-TAS). Methods After pretest genetic counseling and provision of a blood sample for BRCA1/2 testing, the P-TAS was administered to 187 mothers of children between 8- and 21-years-old. The measure was also given to 96 of the mothers’ nontested co-parents. Analyses of the factor structure and psychometric properties of the measure were performed in mothers and confirmed in their co-parents. Results The two factors of the P-TAS, labeled Attitudes and Beliefs (Factor 1) and Decision Making and Communication (Factor 2), accounted for 62.9% of the variance and were reliable (Cronbach's coefficient {alpha}s = .70 and .90, respectively); the structure and properties were largely confirmed among co-parents. Validity was indicated through its convergence with related constructs. Conclusions This new tool may be integrated into genetic counseling research to better assess parents’ attitudes and interests in pediatric BRCA1/2 testing. Such information may help guide ongoing discussions about the appropriateness of testing in adolescent or young adult children.

Key words: bioethics; children; counseling; genetic cancer; genetic counseling; genetic testing; parents.

Received October 18, 2007; revision received February 27, 2008; accepted March 11, 2008


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